Havana, November 24 (RHC) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised on Friday to continue investing in Cuba, on the second day of his historic visit to the island nation, the first by a Spanish leader in 32 years.

Speaking at a forum of 200 Spanish and Cuban companies, including Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica and the airline Iberia, Sanchez said his country was "the island's main European partner, accounting for 40 per cent of the market." The Spanish government will continue investing in Cuba, he stressed, vowing to find a solution to unpaid debts owed Spanish companies on the island.

With trade valued at US$1.3 billion in 2017, Spain is Cuba's third largest trading partner, after China and Venezuela.

Taking to his Twitter account, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on Friday that "the relationship between Cuba and Spain is strengthening," and described as "friendly” his meeting with Sanchez the day before, during which the two countries signed several agreements.

Meanwhile, in Madrid, government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa described the visit as "without a doubt one of the most important trips taken by the Prime Minister," French news agency AFP reported. Celaa called Spain a "bridge" in Cuba-EU relations, and stated that the two leaders spoke at length about climate change and renewable energy with a view to promoting investment in Cuba.